Last year, the foundation launched a pilot trades training program for separating military members in two locations in partnership with the Home Builders Institute nonprofit. That free 12-week pre-apprenticeship certification program uses an industry-based curriculum recognized by the Department of Labor that integrates work-based learning with technical and academic skills.

The program, which has a job placement rate of more than 90 percent, will now roll out on additional bases across the United States. The first set of students is slated to graduate this month.

“HBI has a 50-year history of training individuals with the skills they need to succeed in the building industry,” said HBI CEO John Courson. “Our program prepares men and women for high-growth careers in the industry after leaving military service. With 200,000 service members separating from the military every year, our partnership with The Home Depot Foundation enables us to serve more veterans across the country.”

In addition to those military members, the foundation is establishing an advanced-level trades training program in partnership with the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia.